Synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons in petrochemical processes

ABSTRACT

The subject invention describes a synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate of the pentasil type and method for using the same as a catalyst or a catalyst component in petrochemical processes for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons and their derivatives into useful organic compounds and intermediates.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/469,872, filed Jun. 6, 1995, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/549,185, filed Jul. 6, 1990, now abandoned, and application Ser. No. 08/422,513, filed Apr. 13, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,195, , which is a division of application Ser. No. 07/725,809, filed Jul. 8, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,654, issued Apr. 18, 1995, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to synthetic crystalline aluminosilicates and their use as catalysts or catalyst components in petrochemical processes for the conversion of hydrocarbons and their derivatives into valuable organic intermediates. In particular, the subject invention provides a catalytic cracking catalyst for producing motor fuel comprising an essentially pure phase of synthetic pentasil crystalline aluminosilicate in conjunction with a conventional cracking catalyst. This cracking catalyst will increase the C₃ +C₄ yield, gasoline octane number. The chemical composition of the aluminosilicates of the invention is described in terms of molar ratios in the following manner:

    (0-3) M.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :(15-40) SiO.sub.2 :(0-40) H.sub.2 O

wherein M represents an alkali metal cation, proton, or an ammonium compound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The development and application of molecular sieve catalysts with shape-selective properties has, without doubt, provided an impetus in recent decades to the development of crude oil processing and petrochemistry. This is so particularly since the discovery of silicon-rich zeolites of medium pore size of the pentasil type.

Pentasil aluminosilicate zeolites are important catalysts in the petroleum and chemical industries and are known to be effective for a wide variety of hydrocarbon conversion processes including the catalytic cracking of gas oil to produce motor fuels. They have been employed in processes which (1) lower or eliminate lead and benzene in motor gasoline; (2) replace concentrated liquid or carrier-supported mineral acid catalysts, i.e. sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid and phosphoric acid, in aromatic alkylation and olefin hydration processes; and (3) limit the content of aromatics and sulfur in diesel fuels.

One cracking process employs a zeolite incorporated into the matrix of the cracking catalyst. However, despite the many improvements made in catalytic cracking and in zeolite catalysis, refiners are still searching for ways to increase the octane number of the gasoline. This is true both for Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) and moving bed catalytic cracking, Thermofor Catalytic Cracking, (TCC).

TCC, was developed in the early 1940's. The catalyst circulates, in a moving bed, from a catalytic cracking reactor to a catalyst regenerator. In FCC, a fluidized bed of catalyst circulates between the FCC reactor and the FCC regenerator. Both processes can operate in the absence of added hydrogen at relatively low pressure. Typical pressures will be from about atmospheric pressure to about a few atmospheres of pressure. The temperature, precise operating conditions, etc. of both the FCC and TCC process are conventional, and are well known to those skilled in the art.

Another method for increasing the octane number is to raise the reactor temperature. However, in many reactors, metallurgical restrictions limit the maximum temperature that can be employed for catalytic cracking. In addition, raising the reactor temperature in the FCC process will increase gas production which may overload the gas plant (i.e., the gas compressor and separator).

Another method for increasing the gasoline octane number has been to add a ZSM-5 type zeolite, with or without a matrix, to a conventional cracking catalyst. Improved results, with respect to octane number, can be achieved using a ZSM-5 type zeolite in amounts up to and about 5 to 10 wt. %. These methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,894,931 and 3,894,933.

However, many of these methods substantially reduce the yield of gasoline. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a process having enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity based on an additive cracking catalyst, comprising a synthetic pentasil type zeolite.

Structurally, pentasil zeolites are characterized by an intracrystalline system of mutually crossing channels with a diameter of about 5.5 angstroms. The crossing regions have a very weakly pronounced cage character and are frequently the site of the reaction occurrence. In addition to the acid strength of the acidic centers and their concentration, pore shape and size have an important influence on the activity and selectivity of the conversion of materials and material mixtures.

The size of the pore canals permits the entry and exit of linear and once branched aliphatic molecules and of aromatic molecules with a single benzene ring with up to 10 carbon atoms. Molecules of this class are converted chemically within the pore structure and released as product by diffusion processes. The intracrystalline diffusion rate varies considerably between members of this class due to the differences in molecular size and form, causing different rates of reaction. In cases where the activated state of the molecule requires more space than can be satisfied by the crossing regions of the pentasil zeolites, such reactions do not proceed or proceed only with very low probability. This selective property in zeolites is known as shape-selectivity.

The behavior of zeolite catalysts is largely determined by fine differences within the aluminosilicate structure. For example, it is known that the aluminum distribution over the cross section of pentasil zeolite crystals synthesized using organic template compounds is different from that of pentasil zeolite crystals obtained from strictly inorganic synthesis batches (see, for example, A. Tissler et al. Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal. Vol. 46, pages 399-408 (1988)). For the former case, aluminum accumulation in the periphery of the crystals is observed; for the latter, the aluminum is almost homogeneously distributed over the cross section of the crystals. Therefore, structural information of the zeolite provided by X-ray crystal diffraction is not sufficient to characterize the catalytic utility of such materials and needs to be supplemented by more subtle methods such as solid state high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. For a review on the applications of solid state NMR in structural characterization of zeolites, see, Engelhardt, G. et al. "High-Resolution Solid State NMR of Silicates and Zeolites," Wiley; Chichester, England, 1987.

Pentasil zeolites in their protonated form catalyze a variety of reaction types which include: (1) dehydration/hydration (ethers and alkenes from alcohols, alcohols from alkenes), (2) carbon--carbon bond linking reactions (oligomerization of alkenes, condensations of oxygen-containing compounds and alkylation of aromatic compounds and isoparaffins); (3) carbon--carbon bond splitting reactions (cracking processes of paraffins and alkenes); (4) aromatization (synthesis of aromatic compounds from paraffins and alkenes); and (5) isomerizations (skeletal and double bond isomerization).

Methods for the synthesis of aluminosilicates are described extensively in the technical and patent literature (see, for example, Jacobs, P. A. et al. (1987) Stud. Surf. Sci. Cat., Vol. 33, pages 113-146). The reported methods for the synthesis of aluminosilicates, however, suffer from a variety of serious disadvantages which restrict their use for industrial scale, non-polluting production. Examples of such disadvantages include: (1) the use of materials which are toxic and inflammable; (2) formation of undesirable secondary phases, e.g. quartz, in the zeolite product; (3) prolonged reaction times; (4) incomplete reactions; and (5) the use of high temperatures to remove organic contaminants, e.g. structure-directing compounds as quaternary ammonium salts, present in the zeolite lattice which partly damages the lattice structures leading to a reduction in the catalytic properties. In addition, formation of toxic effluents under conventional synthetic hydrothermal conditions necessitates costly pollution control equipment.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,702,886 discloses the synthesis of silicon-rich zeolites of the pentasil family. The disclosed methods for zeolite synthesis requires the presence of organic, structure-directing compounds or templates in the reaction mixture. Tetralkylammonium compounds, e.g. tetrapropylammonium bromide, are generally used for this purpose.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,885 discloses a process for preparing zeolites which omits the use of organic templates. The synthetic processes described therein lead to the desired product under prolonged (several days) reaction times which may not reach completion.

European Patent Application 0 044 631 discloses a process for cracking a hydrocarbon chargestock which comprises contacting the hydrocarbon chargestock under cracking conditions with a cracking catalyst comprising an active catalyst component and a matrix. The cracking catalyst has an added shape-selective promoter, having a silica to alumina mole ratio of greater than 12, and a constraint index from 1 to 12. The amount of the promoter is from 0.01 to about 1 weight percent, based on the weight of the cracking catalyst. This catalyst is said to produce a higher octane unleaded gasoline without undue sacrifice of gasoline yield.

Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the field for improved methods for preparing crystalline aluminosilicates which avoids one or more of the deficiencies mentioned above. Furthermore, there is an acute need in the art for synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicates which display enhanced catalytic properties, long-term stability, and higher selectivity over conventional aluminosilicates in petrochemical processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to synthetic crystalline aluminosilicates and methods for using the same as catalysts or components in heterogeneous catalysts for petrochemical processes for the conversion of hydrocarbons and their derivatives into valuable organic intermediates.

The synthetic crystalline aluminosilicates are produced by hydrothermal crystallization from an inorganic aqueous alkaline reaction mixture having a composition of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ at a molar ratio between about 15 and about 40; OH⁻ /SiO₂ at a molar ratio between about 0.1 to about 0.2; and a H₂ O/SiO₂ at a molar ratio between about 20 and about 60.

The aluminosilicates of the present invention display enhanced catalytic properties, long-term stability, and higher selectivity over conventional aluminosilicates. In addition, the inventive aluminosilicates are synthesized by a strictly inorganic method which excludes formation of undesirable secondary phases, prolonged reaction time, and produces higher product yield over conventional methods. In addition, the inventive aluminosilicates have a low coking tendency which allows long operating periods between catalyst regeneration.

The inventive aluminosilicate can be used as catalysts and catalyst components for converting hydrocarbons and its derivatives into valuable intermediates in the petrochemical industries. For example, the aluminosilicates can be used in processes for (1) removing n-paraffins or once branched paraffins from hydrocarbon fractions; (2) processing of mixtures of C8 aromatic compounds; (3) alkylating aromatic compounds with low molecular weight alkenes and alcohols; (4) cracking higher-boiling hydrocarbon fractions on agitated catalysts; (5) isomerizing low molecular weight n-paraffins to iso-paraffins; (6) generating aromatic compounds from low molecular weight hydrocarbons; (7) generating liquid hydrocarbons from low molecular weight alkanes and alkenes and (8) converting alcohols to hydrocarbons, low molecular weight alkenes and aromatic compounds.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicate of the pentasil type having a largely homogeneous distribution of aluminum over the crystalline cross-section, hence a surface molar ratio of SiO₂ :Al₂ O₃ which is equal to or greater than the interior molar ratio of SiO₂ :Al₂ O₃ in the crystal. The aluminosilicate of the present invention exhibits enhanced catalytic properties, selectivity, and stability over known aluminosilicates prepared by conventional methods employing organic templates.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of using the inventive aluminosilicate as a catalyst or a component of a heterogenous catalyst for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons and their derivatives in petrochemical processes.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cracking catalyst comprising an aluminosilicate and a conventional cracking catalyst and a process for the catalytic cracking of a petroleum fraction.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a practical method for preparing synthetic crystalline aluminosilicates which does not require the use of organic templates and prolonged reaction times, does not produce undesirable secondary phases and produces a higher product yield over conventional methods.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent in light of the detailed description below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a ²⁹ Si solid state MAS NMR spectrum of the aluminosilicate type A zeolite prepared in accordance with Example 1.

FIG. 2 is a ²⁹ Si solid state MAS NMR spectrum of aluminosilicate type B zeolite prepared in accordance with Example 2.

FIG. 3 is a ²⁹ Si solid state MAS NMR spectrum of aluminosilicate type C zeolite prepared in accordance with Example 3.

FIG. 4 is an electron beam micro-probe analysis illustrating the cross-sectional aluminum distribution of aluminumsilicate type A zeolite prepared in accordance with Example 1.

FIG. 5 is an electron beam micro-probe analysis illustrating the cross-sectional aluminum distribution of aluminumsilicate type B zeolite-prepared in accordance with Example 2.

FIG. 6 is an electron beam micro-probe analysis illustrating the cross-sectional aluminum distribution of a conventional aluminosilicate type C zeolite prepared in accordance with Example 3. This figure demonstrates the accumulation of aluminum at the periphery of the zeolite crystals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All literature references, patents and patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to a synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicate and a method for using the same as catalyst components in petrochemical processes for the conversion of hydrocarbons and their derivatives into valuable organic compounds.

Further, the present invention provides a cracking catalyst and a process for the catalytic cracking of various hydrocarbon feedstocks. The catalyst comprises from about 80 to about 99.9 percent of a conventional cracking catalyst and from 0.1 to about 20 weight percent of a synthetic pentasil, crystalline aluminosilicate, based on the total weight of the cracking catalyst. During the process of the present invention a coked catalyst is formed and passed through a regenerator wherein the coke deposits are burned forming steam, carbon oxides and regenerated catalyst.

The cracking catalyst is prepared by the addition of an additive catalyst comprising an aluminosilicate zeolite dispersed in a matrix to a conventional cracking catalyst. The amount of aluminosilicate catalyst added is from about from 0.1 weight percent to about 50 weight percent based on the total weight of the cracking catalyst. The aluminosilicate zeolite has a chemical composition and an x-ray diffraction diagram as described herein.

The method of present invention may be practiced in both fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and thermofor catalytic cracking (TCC) units.

Catalytic cracking reactor temperatures may vary from extremes of 300° C. to about 600° C., though usually reactor temperatures range from 450° to about 550° C. Regenerator temperatures are usually higher than reactor temperatures, because the coke deposited on the catalyst is burned away, making the catalyst hotter. Typical regenerator temperatures range from about 500° to about 750° C. Preferably, the regenerator will operate at a temperature of about 550° C. to about 725° C.

It is possible, but not essential, to add a carbon monoxide combustion promoter to an FCC unit. Typical promoters include platinum or palladium, in amounts ranging from about 0.1 to about 10 ppm based on the amount of circulating FCC catalyst. Details of this process are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,600.

Conventional Catalytic Cracking Catalysts

Any conventional catalytic cracking catalyst can be employed in practicing the present invention. The preferred catalysts are relatively large pore crystalline aluminosilicates, such as, for example, zeolite X or zeolite Y. The preferred catalyst is zeolite Y, in a support such as for example silica, alumina, silica/alumina, or other conventional catalyst support.

Some catalytic cracking units use amorphous catalysts, i.e., catalysts which do not contain any zeolite component. The use of an amorphous catalyst is not preferred. The zeolite-containing catalysts are preferred because they have higher activity. However, the aluminosilicates of the present invention will improve the operation of catalytic cracking units that use amorphous catalysts.

The conventional catalytic cracking catalyst will usually be in the form of a relatively fine powder for FCC units, and the shape of much larger particles, such as spheres, large grains, or cylindrical extrudates, for TCC units.

Any conventional catalytic cracking catalyst known to operate in conventional FCC or TCC units will function in the practice of the present invention. These catalysts are well known to those skilled in the art and include for example zeolite X and zeolite Y, and zeolite Beta.

The chemical composition of the synthetic crystalline aluminosilicates of the invention, in terms of molar ratio is:

    (0-3)M.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :(15-40)SiO.sub.2 :(0-40)H.sub.2 O

wherein M represents an alkali metal cation such as sodium, potassium, or lithium, preferably sodium; a proton or an ammonium compound. In a preferred form the aluminosilicate will have the chemical composition, in terms of molar ratio:

    (0-3)M.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :(15-30)SiO.sub.2 :(0-40)H.sub.2 O

wherein M represents an alkali metal cation.

The aluminosilicate catalysts of the present invention induce the transformation of aliphatic hydrocarbons to aromatic hydrocarbons in commercially desirable yields and are generally highly effective for alkylation, isomerization, disproportionation and other reactions involving aromatic hydrocarbons. Furthermore, carbonaceous deposits (coke), when formed, may be removed by burning at higher than usual temperatures to restore activity. These zeolite catalysts exhibit low coke forming, and are conductive to very long times on-stream between burning regenerations.

The aluminosilicates of the present invention are believed to be effective because they provide constrained access to, and egress from, the intracrystalline free space by virtue of having a pore dimension greater than about 5 Angstroms and pore windows of about a size such as would be provided by 10-membered rings of oxygen atoms. A preferred pore size is from about 5 Å to about 6 Å and most preferably is about 5.6 Å.

The aluminosilicates are formed by the following method:

a) A reaction mixture is prepared by combining compounds selected from the group consisting of SiO₂ and Al₂ O₃, hydrated derivatives of SiO₂ and Al₂ O₃, or alkali silicates and aluminates, with mineralizers and seeding crystals, in an aqueous alkaline medium, which is essentially free of organic substances. The molar ratio of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ in said mixture ranges from 15 to about 40 and preferably from about 15 to about 30; wherein said mixtures have the following molar ratios:

    OH/SiO.sub.2 =0.1-0.2, and

    H.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2 =20-60;

b) exposing the mixture to hydrothermal crystallization at a temperature about 185° C.; and

c) Filtering said mixture to recover said products of crystallization and drying said products of crystallization.

The crystalline aluminosilicate products have a silicon -29 high resolution solid state magnetic resonance spectrum with a substantial peak, assignable to a silicon atom linked to 4 oxygen atoms with 2 silicon and 2 aluminum atoms attached, between -96 and -102 ppm based on a tetramethylisilane standard and have the following chemical composition:

    0-3 M.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :15-40 SiO.sub.2 :0-40 H.sub.2 O;

wherein M represents an alkali metal cation.

The synthetic crystalline aluminosilicates are produced by hydrothermal crystallization from an inorganic aqueous alkaline reaction mixture containing silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide or their hydrated derivatives or alkali silicates and aluminates and mineral acid. Preferably, relatively inexpensive starting materials of sodium water glass (sodium silicate) and sulfuric acid as mineral acid are used.

The reaction mixture contains SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ at a molar ratio of between about 15 and about 40, preferably between about 20 to about 30; OH⁻ /SiO₂ at a molar ratio between about 0.1 to about 0.2, preferably between about 0.13 to about 0.16; and H₂ O/SiO₂ at a molar ratio between about 20 and about 60, preferably between about 30 to about 40.

The reaction mixture, contained in a stirred autoclave, is subjected to hydrothermal crystallization conditions. In general, the reaction is conducted at a constant temperature between about 100° C. to 325° C., preferably between about 180° C. to about 250° C. for a time period of about 1 to about 100 hours, preferably about 24 hours during which the crystalline product precipitates out.

The aluminosilicates of the present invention can be crystallized in a single step at a constant temperature and within a predetermined time period or in a series of steps. For example, the mixture can be maintained at different constant temperatures for various time periods, or at a plurality of different temperatures for a different time period at each temperature but only within the aforementioned time and temperature ranges.

Optionally, partially or totally crystalline aluminosilicate seed material can be added to the reaction mixture to increase the crystallization rate. The amount of seeding material that can be added is generally about 1 to about 10%, preferably about 1 to about 3% by weight of the total mixture.

The crystalline aluminosilicate is then separated from the mixture by conventional means, e.g. filtration, and thoroughly washed with water to remove adhering impurities. The aluminosilicate is then dried at about 150° C. for about 7 hours. The general yield of aluminosilicate crystals recovered is about 80 to about 99%, usually 95%. The silica to alumina mole ratio referred to may be determined by conventional analysis. This ratio is meant to represent, as closely as possible, the ratio in the rigid anionic framework of the zeolite crystal and exclude the aluminum in the binder or in cationic or other form within the channels.

In general, the crystalline aluminosilicates have a particle size between about 0.1 to about 10 μm, usually about 3 μm. The pore size of the inventive aluminosilicates, as determined by XRD structure analysis, generally range between about 5.4 and about 5.7 angstroms, usually about 5.5 angstroms. The surface area of the aluminosilicate of the present invention is generally greater than 300 m² /gm as determined by the conventional BET method.

Thereafter, the inventive aluminosilicate is optionally subjected to an ion exchange process with ammonium compounds, mineral acids, or metal cations, to ultimately produce effective, heterogeneous acidic catalysts. Preferred metal cations for ion exchange are rare earth cations. Methods for carrying out ion exchange reactions of zeolites are well known in the art and are described, for example, in Jacobs, P. A. et al. (1987) Stud. Surf. Sci. Cat. Vol. 33.

Non-limiting examples of suitable mineral acids for use in the exchange process include sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid. Preferred mineral acids are sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid.

Suitable, but non-limiting examples, of ammonium compounds include ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, and ammonium acetate. Preferred ammonium compounds for use in the present invention are ammonium sulphate and ammonium chloride. The concentration of ammonium compound in solution is broadly between about 0.1 and about 5N, preferably about 1N.

Suitable, but non-limiting examples of the rare earth cations include Sm, Nd, Pr, Ce and La. The preferred rare earth cation is La.

After the aluminosilicate is treated by an ion exchange process it can then be converted by a subsequent, calcination into an active hydrogen format a temperature above 300° C., preferably between about 400° C. and about 600° C.

The active hydrogen form of the aluminosilicate can be transformed into finished catalysts by the addition of inorganic or organic binders and optionally metal or metal oxide components. Optionally, it is desirable to incorporate additive zeolite in a matrix. The matrix is a binder and imparts greater attrition resistance for the severe temperature, pressure, and velocity conditions encountered in many cracking processes. The matrix can be naturally occurring or be in the form of gelatinous precipitates, sols, or gels, such as, for example, mixtures of silica and metal oxides. Examples of matrix constituents are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,902.

Non-limiting examples of matrix or binder materials suitable for practicing the present invention include both natural and synthetic materials like inorganic binders, such as, for example, amorphous silica, metal oxides, pseudo-boehmite, kaolin, and other clays or a combination of the foregoing. Further examples of suitable binders are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,902.

Optional organic binders or auxiliaries, such as polyvinyl alcohol, may be added. Preferred binders for use in this invention are amorphous silica and kaolin. The aluminosilicates can also be mixed with a variety of commercial catalysts, e.g., octane enhancing fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) additives.

The zeolite can be combined with a porous matrix material such as, for example, silica-alumina, silica-magnesia, silica-zirconia, silica-thoria, silica-beryllia, silica-titania, as well as ternary compositions such as silica-alumina-thoria, silica-alumina-zirconia, silica-alumina-magnesia and silica-magnesia-zirconia. A mixture of clay in combination with silica or any of the above-specified cogels to form a matrix is preferred.

Suitable examples of metal components which can be used with the inventive aluminosilicate include elements of the 4th and 6th period of the periodic table. Preferred metals are Zn, Mo, W, Pd, Ga, Pt or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of metal oxide components include gallium oxide, molybdenum oxide, nickel-oxide, platinum oxide, and palladium oxide. Preferred metal oxides for use are gallium-oxide, molybdenum oxide and nickel-oxide.

The synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicate additive is usually added as a separate additive catalyst. The additive catalyst is used in small amounts which can range from about 0.1 to about 20 wt. %, based on total amount of cracking catalyst. A preferred range is from about 1 to about 5 wt. %.

The synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicate additives are very active in the fresh state. Therefore, only small quantities are normally required to obtain a substantial increase in the C₃ +C₄ yield and/or octane improvement in a commercial cracking unit. The aluminosilicate catalyst can be introduced into the reactor quickly because, compared to the total amount of catalyst in the reactor, a small quantity of the aluminosilicate catalyst is required. The refiner can readily control the C₃ +C₄ increase and/or octane increase by controlling the rate of addition of the aluminosilicate catalyst. This flexibility is desirable in situations where feed composition or rate changes occur, when demand for C₃ +C₄ increases, when high octane gasoline fluctuates, or when capacity for alkylation varies due to mechanical problems or changes in overall refinery operation.

In commercial practice, the octane gain can be maximized or controlled to operate at maximum light gas handling capability or full alkylation capacity.

The additive catalyst can be introduced at any time during the catalytic cracking process, while the cracking unit is running, or during shut-down. The refiner can return to conventional operation by eliminating or decreasing the use of aluminosilicate catalyst. Thus the increase of C₃ +C₄ yield and/or increase in octane number over the number obtainable under conventional cracking operations can be controlled by controlling the amount of aluminosilicate catalyst.

The amount of aluminosilicate catalyst required is generally based on the amount of conventional cracking catalyst in the reactor. The zeolite component of the additive catalyst can range from about 0.01 to about 1.0 wt. % based on the weight of the conventional cracking catalyst in the reactor. If the aluminosilicate catalyst is first introduced with fresh makeup catalyst, the amount of aluminosilicate catalyst required is higher than the amount of aluminosilicate catalyst that is required when fresh makeup catalyst is added to a reactor in which the aluminosilicate catalyst has already been added to the conventional catalyst. Once the desired concentration of aluminosilicate in the conventional cracking catalyst has been achieved, the amount of aluminosilicate catalyst required in the makeup catalyst will be much lower.

Generally, the feedstocks used in practicing the present invention are conventional, and any feedstock typically used in conventional FCC and TCC processes may be used herein. Suitable feedstocks are hydrocarbons, preferable petroleum fractions having an initial boiling point of at least 200° C., wherein about 50% of the material will distill below about 260° C., and have a maximum boiling point greater than 315° C. Examples of suitable feedstocks for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbon fractions such as, for example, gas oils, residual oils, cycle stocks, whole and topped crudes and heavy hydrocarbon fractions derived by the destructive hydrogenation of coal, tar, pitches, asphalts and the like.

The inventive aluminosilicates have a largely homogeneous distribution of aluminum over the cross section of the crystals as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. By comparison, FIG. 6 shows the accumulation of aluminum at the crystalline edge of an aluminosilicate prepared by a conventional method in the art.

The elementary distributions of silicon and aluminum over the cross-section of the aluminosilicate of the A, B and C-type (FIGS. 4 to 6) were determined by means of an electron beam micro-probe IEOL 1XA-733 with a DEC-computer PDP 11/23. Samples were embedded into resin, polished with diamond paste and sputtered with gold. The electron beam measurements were conducted with a voltage of 15 kV and a correct intensity of 50 μA. The elementary distributions of aluminosilicate types A, B, C were obtained by electron beam deflection and the resultant scanning electron micrographs of the crystals were recorded on photopaper.

The aluminosilicates of the invention have a surface molar ratio of SiO₂ :Al₂ O₃ which is equal to or greater than the interior molar ratio of SiO₂ :Al₂ O₃. The ratio of surface molar ratio of SiO₂ :Al₂ O₃ to the interior molar ratio of SiO₂ :Al₂ O₃ in the aluminosilicates of the invention is broadly between about 1:1 and about 1.5:1, preferably between about 1:1 and about 1.1:1.

The inventive aluminosilicates can be physically distinguished from conventional aluminosilicates by means of X-ray crystal diffraction patterns and by solid state NMR spectroscopy. For example, the X-ray diffraction diagrams of the inventive aluminosilicate contain at least the distances between the crystalline lattice shown in Table 1.

The aluminosilicates prepared by the method of the present invention produce a ²⁹ Si solid state Magic Angle Spin (MAS) NMR spectrum with characteristic absorption bands at -100, -106, -112, and -116 ppm relative to the adsorption band of tetramethylsilane. The high-resolution solid-state NMR spectra shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 were performed with a Bruker 400 MSL spectrometer with a magnetic field of 9.4 T. The ²⁹ Si high-resolution NMR measurements were conducted at a frequency of 79.5 MHz with a pulse length of 4 microseconds, a pulse interval of 5 seconds, an spin rpm of 3 KHz with a total of 10,000 scan acquisitions. The Bruker GLINFIT program was used for simulating the individual peaks in the measured spectrum.

The inventive aluminosilicate can be used as a catalyst or a component of heterogenous catalysts in petrochemical processes for the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons or their derivatives.

In processes where the aluminosilicate is employed, the operational pressures are generally between about 0.1 and about 15 MPa, preferably between about 1 and about 10 MPa; the temperatures are generally between about 250° C. and about 600° C., preferably between about 300° C. and about 500° C.; and with raw material loads between about 0.5 and about 10 (v/v/hour), preferably between about 2 and about 8 (v/v/hour). Such processes can be conducted in the presence of hydrogen gas or hydrogen-containing gases in molded catalysts containing the inventive aluminosilicate.

In one embodiment of the invention, the aluminosilicates can be employed in processes for dewaxing or removing paraffins from hydrocarbon fractions. Long-chain linear or slightly branched paraffins have higher melting points than do other hydrocarbons with the same number of carbon atoms. Small amounts of such wax-like components in mixtures, e.g. fuel distillates and lubricating oils, can negatively affect the flow behavior (pour point, freezing point, cloud point).

Unlike narrow pore zeolites, e.g. erionite, having shape-selective cracking properties restricted to gasolines, the medium pore aluminosilicates are especially suitable for selectively cracking paraffins and removing them from mixtures such as jet fuel and distillation residues. Example 5 illustrates the utility of the inventive aluminosilicates in dewaxing hydrocarbon fractions.

In another embodiment of the invention, the aluminosilicates of the present invention are used in processes for the isomerization of xylene. In general, the starting materials for xylene isomerization are mixtures of C₈ aromatic compounds consisting of ethyl benzene as well as ortho-, meta- and para-xylene. Para- and ortho-xylenes are important intermediates for the production of plastics.

In xylene isomerization processes, two goals must be met (1) to achieve an equilibrating isomer population of 50% m-xylene and 25% each of ortho- and para-xylene after a large portion of para-xylene has been removed and (2) to convert ethylbenzene into xylenes. For optimization of the isomerization process, it is important that the zeolite catalyzes isomer equilibration under conditions which maximal ethylbenzene conversion occurs. Example 6 illustrates the utility of the inventive aluminosilicate in xylene isomerization.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the inventive aluminosilicate is used in processes for the alkylation of aromatic compounds with low molecular weight alkenes and alcohols. Aluminosilicates have proven useful in processes for preparing xylene from toluene; methanol and ethylbenzene from benzene and ethene; para-ethyltoluene from toluene and ethyl ether or ethanol; diethylbenzene from ethylbenzene and ethene; dimethylbenzene from xylene and ethene; cumene from benzene and propene; alkylbenzene from benzene and low molecular weight alcohols; and diethylbenzene from ethylbenzene and ethanol. Example 7 illustrates the utility of the inventive aluminosilicates in the alkylation of benzene and ethylbenzene with ethene. In addition, Example 8 illustrates the use of the inventive aluminosilicates in the alkylation of toluene with methanol.

In another embodiment of the invention, the aluminosilicates are used in catalytic, fluidized bed cracking processes for the conversion of vacuum distillates and distillation residues into high-grade fuels with high research octane numbers/motor octane numbers. For this purpose, catalysts, such as FCC catalysts, which incorporate aluminosilicate zeolites in its matrix are generally employed. Examples of FCC catalysts include Y-zeolites and rare earth exchanged Y-zeolites. The addition of pentasil zeolites in the finished catalyst brings about the elimination of low-octane paraffin fractions and the formation of C₃ and C₄ olefins which are useful starting material for alkylation reactions. Example 9 illustrates the use of the inventive aluminosilicates in a process for cracking high-boiling hydrocarbon fractions. In addition, Example 10 details the use of the inventive alumino-silicates in a process for isomerizing low molecular weight n-paraffins to improve the front octane number.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the aluminosilicates are used in processes for obtaining aromatic compounds from low molecular weight hydrocarbons. Traditionally, aromatics from crude oil are produced by a naphtha reforming process. This process, however, is able to aromatize only hydrocarbons having at least six carbon atoms. In recent years, utilization of light hydrocarbon fractions (C₂ to C₅) particularly in liquified form has become more important for obtaining high-grade liquid products. Conventional aromatizing catalysts which catalyze the dehydrocyclodimerization of light fractions also form coke which deactivates the catalyst during prolonged operations. Accordingly, shape-selective zeolites with low coking tendencies would be particularly suitable in such processes. Example 12 describes the use of the inventive aluminosilicates in a process for generating aromatic compounds from low molecular weight hydrocarbons.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the synthetic aluminosilicates are used in processes for obtaining liquid hydrocarbons or low molecular weight alkenes from methanol. Methanol derived from known processes from natural gas or coal is an important intermediate for the production of high-grade hydrocarbons. Pentasil zeolites have shown utility in catalytic processes for the conversion of methanol into higher molecular weight hydrocarbons such as high-grade gasoline for carburetor-type gasoline engines, aromatic compounds and alkenes as intermediates for the plastics industry. Example 12 describes in detail the utility of the inventive aluminosilicates in a process for obtaining liquid hydrocarbons or low molecular weight alkenes from methanol.

The following examples illustrate the invention without limiting its scope.

EXAMPLE 1: Synthesis of an Aluminosilicate of Type A

A 25,000 liter reaction solution containing sodium water glass, aluminum sulfate, sodium sulfate and sulfuric acid in the molar ratios of: SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ =30; OH⁻ /SiO₂ =0.14; H₂ O/SiO₂ =30 was heated in a stirred 35,000 liter autoclave to a reaction temperature of 185° C. and pressure of 10 bar for 24 hours. The solid product (>90% yield) was filtered off and dried at 110° C. The dry substances consisted of a pure-phase alumino-silicate with an X-ray diffraction diagram with at least the d values (angstroms) listed in Table 1 below. The peak-plane intensities are relative to the strongest peak which is set at 100%.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         d Value/Interlattice Plane                                                     Distance          Relative                                                     (in angstroms)    Intensity Percentage                                         ______________________________________                                         11.2 ± 0.3     strong    52                                                 10.2 ± 0.3     strong    31                                                 9.8 ± 0.2      weak      10                                                 3.85 ± 0.1     very strong                                                                              100                                                3.83 ± 0.1     strong    81                                                 3.75 ± 0.1     strong    50                                                 3.73 ± 0.1     strong    54                                                 3.60 ± 0.1     weak      31                                                 3.06 ± 0.05    weak      16                                                 3.00 ± 0.05    weak      21                                                 2.01 ± 0.02    weak      15                                                 1.99 ± 0.02    weak      20                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The chemical composition of the product, expressed in molar ratios, was: 1.1Na₂ O:Al₂ O₃ :31SiO₂ :6H₂ O. The aluminum distribution over the cross section of the crystals of the products is illustrated in FIG. 4.

The proportions of the individual absorption bands, which were obtained from the ²⁹ Si solid state MAS nuclear magnetic spectra (FIG. 1) and are a measure of the different tetrahedral coordination of silicon, occur at:

    ______________________________________                                         Si (4SiOA1) %   Si (3Si1Al)                                                                              Si (2Si2A1)                                          -112 and -116 ppm                                                                              -106 ppm  -100 ppm                                             ______________________________________                                         75              23        2                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2: Synthesis of an Aluminosilicate of Type B

In accordance with Example 1, a reaction formulation of a solution of sodium water glass, aluminum sulfate, sodium sulfate and sulfuric acid in the molar ratios of: SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ =24; OH⁻ /SiO₂ =0.14; H₂ O/SiO₂ =30 was heated in stirred autoclave to a reaction temperature of 185° C. and treated hydrothermally for 24 hours. The solid product was filtered off and dried at 110° C. The dry substance consisted of a pure-phase aluminosilicate with an X-ray diffraction diagram with the d values that are listed in Table 1 from Example 1.

The chemical composition of the product, expressed in molar ratios, was: 1.1Na₂ O:Al₂ O₃ :23SiO₂ :7H₂ O. The aluminum distribution over the cross section of the crystals of the products is shown in FIG. 5.

The proportions of the individual absorption bands, which were obtained from the ²⁹ Si solid state MAS nuclear magnetic spectrum (FIG. 2) and are a measure of the different tetrahedral coordination of silicon, occur at:

    ______________________________________                                         Si (4SiOAl) %   Si (3Si1Al)                                                                              Si (2Si2Al)                                          ______________________________________                                         -112 and -116 ppm                                                                              -106 ppm  -100 ppm                                             ______________________________________                                         71              26        3                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 3: Preparation of a Conventional Comparison Aluminum Silicate of Type C

A reaction formulation of pyrogenic silica, tetrapropylammonium bromide, glycerol, ammonia, sodium hydroxide, and aluminum nitrate with the molar ratios of: SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ =72; Na₂ O/SiO₂ =0.2; TPA/SiO₂ =1.25; glycerol/SiO₂ =19.86; NH₃ /SiO₂ =0.2; H₂ O/SiO₂ =146 was heated in a stationary autoclave to a reaction temperature of 150° C. and treated hydrothermally for 72 hours. The reaction components and conditions were described in (1987) Jacobs, P. A. et al. Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal. Vol. 33. The solid product was filtered off and dried at 110° C. The product had a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ ratio of 70.

The aluminum distribution of the cross section of crystals of the conventional comparison silicate is shown in FIG. 6. Moreover, this product does not show any absorption bands in the 29-silicon solid MAS nuclear resonance spectrum at -100 ppm (see FIG. 3).

EXAMPLE 4: The Preparation of Catalysts from Crystalline Aluminosilicates Catalyst 1

A synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicate of type B, prepared in accordance with Example 2, is repeatedly subjected to an ion exchange process with aqueous 1N ammonium sulphate solution and subsequently mixed in a kneader in an amount of 70% aluminosilicate to 30% inorganic binder of aluminum oxide as pseudo-boehmite by weight of the mixture, with the addition of 3% by weight of concentrated nitric acid. The catalyst is then molded to extrudates of 3 mm diameter and activated at a temperature of 400° C.

Comparison Catalyst 2

A zeolite of type C is synthesized by the method of Jacobs, P. A. et al. (Example 10a on page 19 in "Synthesis of High-Silica Alumino-silicate Zeolites" in Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal., 33 (1987)) with tetrapropylammonium bromide as structure-directing compound in accordance with Example 3. The zeolite is repeatedly subjected to an ion exchange process with an aqueous 1N ammonium sulphate solution and subsequently mixed in a kneader in an amount of 70% aluminosilicate to 30% inorganic binder of aluminum oxide as pseudo-boehmite by weight of the mixture, with addition of 3% by weight of concentrated HNO₃. The catalyst is then molded to extrudates of 3 mm diameter and activated at a temperature of 400° C.

Catalyst 3

A synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicate of type A, prepared in accordance to Example 1, is repeatedly subjected to an ion exchange process with aqueous ammonium sulphate solution and subsequently mixed in a kneader in an amount of 70% aluminosilicate to 30% inorganic binder (see catalyst 1) by weight of the mixture and molded to extrudates of 3 mm diameter. Subsequently, the molded catalyst is coated with 3% by weight of molybdenum oxide by impregnation with 1N ammonia molybdate and activated at a temperature of 400° C.

Comparison Catalyst 4

A zeolite of type c is synthesized by the method of Jacobs, P. A. et al. (Example 10a on page 19 in "Synthesis of High-Silica Alumino-silicate Zeolites" in Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal., 33 (1987)) with tetrapropylammonium bromide as structure-directing compound in accordance with Example 3. This zeolite is repeatedly subjected to an ion exchange process with an aqueous ammonium sulphate solution and subsequently mixed in a kneader in an amount of 70% aluminosilicate to 30% inorganic binder (see catalyst 1) by weight of the mixture and molded into extrudates with a diameter of 3 mm. The molded catalyst is subsequently coated with 3% by weight of molybdenum oxide by impregnation with 1N ammonia molybdate solution and activated at temperatures of 400° C.

Catalyst 5

A synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicate of type B, prepared in accordance to Example 2, is repeatedly subjected to an ion exchange process with aqueous 1N ammonia sulphate solution and subsequently mixed in a kneader in an amount of 70% aluminosilicate to 30% inorganic binder (see catalyst 1) by weight of the mixture and molded to extrudates of 3 mm diameter. Subsequently, the molded catalyst is coated with 2% by weight of gallium oxide by impregnation with a gallium chloride solution in hydrochloric and activated at a temperature of 400° C.

Comparison Catalyst 6

A zeolite of type C is synthesized by the method of Jacobs, P. A. et al. (Example 10a on page 19 in "Synthesis of High-Silica Alumino-silicate Zeolites" in Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal., 33 (1987)) with tetrapropylammonium bromide as structure-directing compound as described in Example 3. This zeolite is repeatedly subjected to an ion exchange process with a 1N ammonium sulphate solution and subsequently mixed in a kneader in an amount of 70% aluminosilicate to 30% inorganic binder (see catalyst 1) by weight of the mixture, and molded to extrudates of 3 mm diameter. The catalyst is subsequently coated with 2% by weight of gallium oxide by impregnation with a gallium chloride solution in hydrochloric acid and activated at a temperature of 400° C.

Catalyst 7

A synthetic, crystalline aluminosilicate of type A, prepared in accordance with Example 1, is repeatedly subjected to an ion exchange process with aqueous 1N ammonium sulphate solution and subsequently mixed in a kneader in an amount of 70% aluminosilicate to 30% inorganic binder (see catalyst 1) by weight of the mixture and molded to extrudates of 3 mm diameter. Subsequently, the molded catalyst is coated with 2% by weight of zinc nitrate by impregnation with a 1N zinc nitrate aqueous solution and activated in a current of hydrogen at a 40 bar H₂ pressure and a temperature of 400° C.

Comparison Catalyst 8

A zeolite of type C is synthesized by the method of Jacobs, P. A. et al. (Example 10a on page 19 in "Synthesis of High-Silica Alumino-silicate Zeolites" in Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal., 33 (1987)) with tetrapropylammonium bromide as structure-directing compound as described in Example 3. This zeolite is repeatedly subjected to an ion exchange process with a 1N aqueous ammonium sulphate solution and subsequently mixed in a kneader in an amount of 70% aluminosilicate to 30% inorganic binder (see catalyst 1) by weight of the mixture, and molded to extrudates of 3 mm diameter. The catalyst is subsequently impregnated with a zinc nitrate (2% by weight) with 1N zinc nitrate aqueous solution and activated in a current of hydrogen at a 40 bar H₂ pressure and a temperature of 400° C.

EXAMPLE 5: Comparison of Aluminosilicate Catalysts in Dewaxing Hydrocarbon Fractions

A gas oil (a crude oil distillate with a boiling point between about 290° C. and about 350° C.) with a density of 0.865 kg/L, a nitrogen content of 142 mg NH₃ /L and a BPA point (temperature at which paraffin commences to precipitate) of 3° C. is reacted at a pressure of 3.5 MPa, a loading of 2 (v/v/hour) and a gas product ratio (GPV) of 1000:1 at an initial temperature of 663° K. on catalyst 7 and, in a separate run, on the conventional, comparison catalyst 8. The units (v/v/hour) refers to the volume of "liquid" educt, e.g. gas oil, divided by the volume of catalyst per hour. The results of the catalytic dewaxing are listed in the Table below:

The inventive catalyst 7 has a low fouling rate (T/day) and thus a higher stability with about the same initial activity as catalyst 8.

    ______________________________________                                                      Starting                                                          Parameters   Material  Catalyst 7 Catalyst 8                                   ______________________________________                                         Density (kg/L)                                                                              0.865     0.859      0.858                                        BPA (°C.)                                                                            3° C.                                                                             -15/-25    -15/-25                                      T/day (°K.)     0.17       0.48                                         ______________________________________                                          T/day was determined over a period of 30 days and refers to the                temperature (°K.) per day which has to be increased in order for        the reaction to receive the same BPA point.                              

EXAMPLE 6: Comparison of Aluminosilicate Catalysts in the Isomerization of Xylene

A C-8 mixture of aromatic compounds is converted at a pressure of 1.0 MPa, a temperature of 400° C., a load of 2.0 (v/v/hour) and a gas product ratio (GPV) of 1000:1 on catalyst 3 and, in a separate run, on the conventional catalyst 4. The results of the conversion of the C-8 aromatic compounds are listed in the Table below.

    ______________________________________                                         Compounds  Raw Material Catalyst 3                                                                              Catalyst 4                                    ______________________________________                                         Non-aromatics                                                                             1.09         0.45     0.71                                          Benzene                 14.39    5.32                                          Toluene    0.71         6.62     5.04                                          Ethylbenzene                                                                              23.75        2.79     12.24                                         para-xylene                                                                               9.73         17.89    16.01                                         meta-xylene                                                                               47.57        40.38    38.12                                         ortho-xylene                                                                              16.44        16.29    15.27                                         C.sub.9.sup.+ aromatics                                                                   0.71         1.35     7.29                                          Total xylenes                                                                             73.74        74.5     69.4                                          ______________________________________                                    

Compared to the comparison catalyst 4, the inventive catalyst 3 exhibits a far higher ethylbenzene conversion and, at the same time, a better xylene selectivity (fewer C₉ ⁺ aromatic materials).

EXAMPLE 7: Comparison of Aluminosilicate Catalysts in a Process for Alkylation of Aromatic Compounds

A mixture of benzene and ethene, in a ratio of 1:2.6 gm/gm, is converted at 400° C. to 420° C. at a load of 6.5/hour (benzene plus ethene) over catalyst 1 and, in a separate run, over the conventional comparison catalyst 2.

Compared to the comparison catalyst 2, the inventive catalyst 1, has a slightly higher activity and selectivity for ethylbenzene and diethylbenzene and a distinctly better selectivity for para-diethylbenzene.

    ______________________________________                                                          Catalyst 1 Catalyst 2                                         Results          % Conversion                                                                              % Conversion                                       ______________________________________                                         Conversion of benzene                                                                           28         26                                                 Conversion of ethene                                                                            81         72                                                 Selectivity of the benzene to                                                                   95         92                                                 ethylbenzene + diethylbenzene                                                  Selectivity of the ethene to                                                                    90         90                                                 ethylbenzene + diethylbenzene                                                  Proportion of para-diethyl-                                                                     85         60                                                 benzene in diethylbenezene                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8: Comparison of Aluminosilicate Catalysts in a Process for Alkylation of Toluene with Methanol

A mixture of toluene and methanol in the ratio of 2:1 is converted at a temperature of 350° C. and a loading of 4/hour (toluene plus methanol) over catalyst 1 and, in a different run, over the conventional comparison catalyst 2. The results of the alkylation reaction are listed in the Table below.

The inventive catalyst 1 shows a distinctly higher activity and a slightly better para selectivity than does the comparison catalyst 2.

    ______________________________________                                                           Catalyst 1 Catalyst 2                                        Results           % Conversion                                                                              % Conversion                                      ______________________________________                                         Methanol conversion                                                                              100        80                                                Toluene conversion                                                                               30         17                                                Benzene           1          0.5                                               Toluene           51         61                                                meta-Xylene       8          4                                                 para-Xylene       11         3.9                                               ortho-Xylene      7          3.0                                               Total C8 aromatic compounds                                                                      26         11                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9: Comparison of Aluminosilicate Catalysts in a Process for Cracking Higher-Boiling Hydrocarbon Fractions

Catalyst 1 and catalyst 2 are each metered in as additive (5% by weight) to a conventional commercial fluidized bed catalyst or moving bed catalyst that is based on a Y zeolite. After a steam treatment of the catalysts at 750° C. for 17 hours, a hydrated gas oil is passed at a temperature of 475° C. and a load of 10/hour over the mixed catalyst. The results of the cracking experiments are listed in the Table below.

Compared to the comparison catalyst, the inventive catalyst brings about a slightly higher gas yield, a somewhat better gasoline yield and a distinctly lower proportion of coke. The isooctane portion increases greatly, so that the octane number is clearly improved. Likewise, the proportions of C₃ and C₄ olefins is increased; this is associated with an improvement in the research octane number.

    ______________________________________                                                     Conventional                                                                               With 5%  With 5%                                                   Catalyst    Catalyst 1                                                                              Catalyst 2                                    Results     (% yield)   (% yield)                                                                               (% yield)                                     ______________________________________                                         Methane     0.5         0.5      0.5                                           Ethane      0.7         0.7      0.7                                           Ethene      0.6         0.5      0.5                                           Propane/Propene                                                                            3.3         4.7      3.5                                           n-Butane    2.7         2.9      2.8                                           i-Butane    2.0         1.9      1.9                                           Total C.sub.4                                                                              6.7         7.9      6.8                                           C.sub.5 - C.sub.2                                                                          1.5         1.8      1.7                                           (Gasoline)  50.2        48.5     48.2                                          Coke        8.4         5.8      8.1                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10: Comparison of Aluminosilicate Catalysts for the Catalytic Cracking of Petroleum Fractions.

A zeolite aluminosilicate powder was prepared in accordance with the procedure of Example 1. This zeolite had a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ ratio of 30 and was ion-exchanged with ammonium-sulphate resulting in a zeolite powder having a sodium-content of 0.02 weight %. This material was designated zeolite A.

For comparison, a commercial zeolite powder, Conteka CBV 3020, available from Conteka, (Surte, Sweden) was used. This powder was designated zeolite Q. The Conteka CBV 3020 zeolite powder had the following composition:

    SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 mole ratio=30

    Na.sub.2 O=0.02 wt. %

    Surface area=400 m.sup.2 /g.

Catalyst Preparation

The base FCC catalyst used in the catalytic tests was NITRODYNE™ 1470, a catalyst comprising oxides of aluminum, silicone, titanium, and rare earth metals, commercially available from Engelhard Corporation (Iselin, N.J.).

Two FCC-aluminosilicate additives, one prepared using the aluminsilicate product from Example I and the other prepared using the Conteka CBV 3020 zeolite powder, were prepared according to the following procedure:

For each sample, a commercial clay binder was combined with dibasic ammoniumphosphate and one of the aluminosilicate powders in water. The resulting mixture had a aluminosilicate content of 25% and a pH of 6. (The pH was controlled by the diammonium-phosphate.) The slurry was spray dried in a bench-scale-spray-drier to produce particles of about 80 microns. The products were calcined in air at 500° C. for 1 hour.

Catalytic Activity Test

Prior to the catalytic tests the catalyst products were steamed at 800° C., in a mixture of 50 percent steam/50 percent air, for 8 hours.

The catalytic tests were conducted in accordance with the ASTM Method No. 39 7-87 (MAT-Test).

The aluminosilicate additive was added to the base FCC-catalyst to provide samples having weight percentages of zeolite given below:

    ______________________________________                                         SAMPLE No.   Aluminosilicate                                                                           Weight % of additive                                   ______________________________________                                         10a          A          25                                                     10b          A          20                                                     10c          A          15                                                     10d          A          10                                                     10e          Q          25                                                     10f          Q          20                                                     10g          Q          15                                                     10h          Q          10                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The method for carrying out the addition is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,403.

The chemical composition of both zeolite A (the present invention) and zeolite Q (comparative) were identical so that the difference in the C₃ +C₄ level could be interpreted as a result of a change in activity. The MAT-test, described in ASTM 39 7-87, was performed at 540° C. at a catalyst/oil ratio of 5/1 wt./wt. Eight (8) tests were conducted, sample Nos. 10a-10h. The composition of the catalyst was changed stepwise as indicated above. The increase in total C₃ and C₄ compounds was taken as the measure of activity.

The activity of both powders was expected to be the same because the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ mole-ratio was identical. Surprisingly the FCC-aluminosilicate additives of the present invention, zeolite A, showed two important advantages. The total amount of C₃ and C₄ compounds obtained is always higher compared with the results obtained when using the catalyst prepared with the comparison zeolite Q. This positive result becomes more important when the catalysts have been prepared with a lower amount of aluminosilicate powder because the decrease in activity is more moderate than the decrease in the zeolite content when using the aluminosilicate zeolites of the present invention. A second advantage is the delta C₃ +C₄ when using the catalysts of the invention is higher than that taught in the prior art references.

The results obtained by using the aluminosilicate catalyst of the present invention in FCC-units would also be expected in conventional TCC processes.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     RESULTS                                                                                   Sample No.                                                                     only                                                                Sample No. base-cat                                                                           10a                                                                               10b                                                                               10c                                                                               10d                                                                               10e                                                                               10f                                                                               10g                                                                               10h                                        __________________________________________________________________________     Conversion, Vol %                                                                         73  71 71 71 72 72 72 73 73                                         C.sub.3, Vol %                                                                            7.2 12.1                                                                              11.8                                                                              11.3                                                                              10.8                                                                              11.3                                                                              10.3                                                                              9.4                                                                               8.5                                        C.sub.3, Vol %                                                                            0.8 0.9                                                                               0.9                                                                               0.9                                                                               0.9                                                                               0.9                                                                               0.9                                                                               0.8                                                                               0.8                                        iC.sub.4, Vol %                                                                           3.1 3.9                                                                               3.8                                                                               3.7                                                                               3.6                                                                               3.7                                                                               3.5                                                                               3.4                                                                               3.3                                        C.sub.4, Vol %                                                                            8.8 12.8                                                                              12.6                                                                              12.2                                                                              11.6                                                                              12.0                                                                              11.3                                                                              11 10.8                                       nC.sub.4, Vol %                                                                           0.7 0.8                                                                               0.8                                                                               0.8                                                                               0.7                                                                               0.7                                                                               0.7                                                                               0.7                                                                               0.7                                        Delta C3 + C4, Vol %                                                                      --  9.9                                                                               9.3                                                                               8.3                                                                               7.0                                                                               8.0                                                                               6.1                                                                               4.7                                                                               3.5                                        __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 11: Comparison of Aluminosilicate Catalysts in a Process for the Isomerization of Low Molecular Weight N-Paraffins

A 1:10 n-hexane/hydrogen mixture (gm/gm) is reacted at 300° C. and 4 MPa and a load of 1/hour on catalyst 7 and, in a separate run, on a conventional comparison catalyst 8 for comparison. The results of the reaction are listed in the Table below:

    ______________________________________                                         Results             Catalyst 7                                                                              Catalyst 8                                        ______________________________________                                         n-Hexane conversion % yield                                                                        48%      25%                                               Hexane isomers/cracked prod.*                                                                      1.3      1.2                                               ______________________________________                                          *reported as wt./wt.                                                     

Compared to the conventional comparison catalyst, the inventive catalyst 7 shows a clearly higher activity and a slightly better hexane isomer/cracked products ratio.

EXAMPLE 12: Comparison of Aluminosilicates in a Process for Preparing Aromatic Compounds from Low Molecular Weight Hydrocarbons

n-Pentane is converted at a pressure of 0.1 MPa and a load of 1/hour at a temperature of 500° C. on catalyst 5 and, in a different run, on the conventional comparison catalyst 6. The results of the aromatization reaction are listed in the Table below.

    ______________________________________                                                          Catalyst 1                                                                              Catalyst 2                                           Results          (% yield)                                                                               (% yield)                                            ______________________________________                                         Liquid product   45       39.2                                                 Gases            54.1     60.3                                                 Carbon           0.9      0.5                                                  Aromatic products                                                                               44.5     38.5                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Compared to the conventional catalyst 6, the inventive catalyst 5 shows a better yield of aromatic compounds.

EXAMPLE 13: Comparison of Aluminosilicate Catalysts in a Process for Preparing Liquid Hydrocarbons and Low Molecular Weight Alkenes from Methanol

Methanol is converted at a pressure of 0.1 MPa, a temperature of 300° C. and a load of 1/hour on catalyst 1 and, in a different run, on the conventional comparison catalyst 2. The results of the reaction are listed in the Table below.

    ______________________________________                                         Results          Catalyst 1                                                                              Catalyst 2                                           ______________________________________                                         Conversion       99%      77%                                                  Olefins          33%      23%                                                  Aromatic materials                                                                              12%      15%                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Compared to conventional comparison catalysts, the inventive catalyst 1 shows a clearly higher activity and an improved olefin yield.

Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art in light of the above detailed disclosure. All such modifications are within the full intended scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for the catalytic cracking of a petroleum fraction which comprises exposing said petroleum fraction to a cracking catalyst, under cracking conditions, wherein said cracking catalyst comprises a cracking catalyst composition comprising from about 80 to about 99.9 percent of a conventional cracking catalyst and from 0.1 to about 20 weight percent of a synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate, based on the total weight of the cracking catalyst;wherein said aluminosilicate has the following chemical composition:

    0-3 M.sub.2 O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :15-30 SiO.sub.2 :0-40 H.sub.2 O;

wherein M represents an alkali metal cation; and an X-ray diffraction diagram with X-ray reflections having the following d Values:

    ______________________________________                                         d VALUES/INTERPLANAR                                                                               RELATIVE INTENSITY                                         ______________________________________                                         11.2 + 0.3          strong                                                     10.2 + 0.3          strong                                                     9.8 + 0.2           weak                                                       3.85 + 0.1          very strong                                                3.83 + 0.1          strong                                                     3.75 + 0.1          strong                                                     3.73 + 0.1          strong                                                     3.60 + 0.1          strong                                                     3.06 + 0.05         weak                                                       3.00 + 0.05         weak                                                       2.01 + 0.02         weak                                                       1.99 + 0.02         weak.                                                      ______________________________________                                    


2. The process according to claim 1, wherein said aluminosilicate has a silicon-29 high-resolution solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum with absorption bands at approximately 100, -106, -112 and -116 ppm based on tetramethylsilane.
 3. The process according to claim 1, wherein said aluminosilicate has a crystal size of 0.3 to 10 μm.
 4. The process according to claim 1, wherein said aluminosilicate comprises 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of the cracking catalyst.
 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein said conventional cracking catalyst is a large pore zeolite selected from the group consisting of zeolite X, zeolite Y and naturally occurring faujasite.
 6. The process according to claim 1, wherein said conventional cracking catalyst is amorphous.
 7. The process according to claim 1, wherein said cracking process is Fluidized Catalytic Cracking.
 8. The process according to claim 1, wherein said cracking process is Thermofor Catalytic Cracking.
 9. The process according to claim 1, wherein said catalyst is regenerated by passing it through a regenerator, wherein coke deposits are burned forming steam, carbon oxides and regenerated catalyst.
 10. The process according to claim 1, wherein said aluminosilicate has a surface SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ molar ratio to an interior SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ molar ratio range of between about 1:1 and about 1.5:1.
 11. The process according to claim 1, wherein said cracking catalyst further comprises an inorganic or organic binder.
 12. The process according to claim 11, wherein said inorganic binder is selected from the group consisting of amorphous silica, pseudo-boehmite, kaolin, and combinations thereof.
 13. The process according to claim 11, wherein said organic binder comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
 14. The process according to claim 1 wherein said cracking catalyst composition further comprises a metal or metal oxide.
 15. The process according to claim 14, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of comprises Zn, Mo, W, Pd, Ga, Pt and combinations thereof.
 16. The process according to claim 14, wherein said metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of gallium oxide, molybdenum oxide, nickel oxide, platinum oxide, and palladium oxide.
 17. The process according to claim 1, wherein said aluminosilicate has pore sizes of greater than about 5 angstroms.
 18. The process according to claim 17, where said aluminosilicate has pore sizes from about 5 angstroms to about 6 angstroms. 